The sky was just beginning to brighten.
Qin Ming had just woken up in bed when he heard the sound of Lingyin sweeping the snow outside.
He put on his robe and looked toward the end of his bed—the white weasel was already gone.
How strange! That little fellow!
He stepped outside, picked up a broom, and joined Lingyin in clearing the snow.
Lingyin playfully took a piece of ice from a red spirit flower and nibbled on it, smiling at Qin Ming.
She gazed at him as if he were her beloved husband, the more she looked, the more pleasing he seemed!
Qin Ming smiled back and took a bite of ice as well.
The courtyard was now bustling with people.
He couldn't act as carefree as he did that night, laughing and playing beside Lingyin.
Today was the morning court session, and the Grand Princess had risen especially early.
After finishing her breakfast, she ordered her attendants to deliver a set of black official robes to Qin Ming.
Qin Ming changed into them, and Lingyin helped him tie up his hair.
With everything neatly arranged, he looked spirited and dignified.
Just as he stepped out, the Grand Princess, Han Yuexi, stood in the snow-covered courtyard, one hand behind her back.
She coldly uttered a single word:
"Go!"
With that, the Grand Princess's Moonshadow Sword gleamed with a dazzling blue light, and she soared into the sky.
From the rooftop, a gentle voice chimed in—belonging to the mischievous little rabbit officer.
"Grand Princess, Qin Ming has yet to reach the Spirit-Communion Realm; he cannot fly."
"If he can't fly, let him ride a Snow Stallion!"
With those words, the Grand Princess vanished into the swirling snowflakes.
The rabbit officer hopped down from the eaves and led a white Snow Stallion to Qin Ming.
"Xiao Qinzi, just follow this official road to the end, then turn west—that's where the Fire Command Hall is.
Remember, turn west! Under no circumstances should you go east.
The east leads to the Forbidden Grounds of the Imperial City—the Dragon Abyss Ancestral Hall."
Dragon Abyss Ancestral Hall?
These four words filled Qin Ming's mind with questions.
How odd!
In the novels he had read, royal ancestral halls were usually called "Imperial Ancestral Halls" or "Forefather Shrines."
Why was this one called the Dragon Abyss Ancestral Hall?
However, he didn't press further.
He mounted the white stallion and bid farewell to Lingyin and the Twelve Zodiac Guardians.
"Xiao Qinzi, safe travels!"
"Xiao Qinzi, may fortune smile upon you in court!"
Qin Ming lightly squeezed the horse's sides, and the Snow Stallion galloped forward.
The Grand Yan Empire's palace was vast.
Thus, officials were permitted to ride horses within its grounds.
However, flying was strictly forbidden—
Except for the Grand Princess!
Because even the Empress couldn't control her!
As Qin Ming approached the Fire Command Hall—the center of power in Grand Yan—his heart grew increasingly awed.
Every three steps, there was a towering pavilion.
Every five steps, a delicate pagoda.
Every ten steps, a beautifully crafted garden.
It was a sight of unparalleled grandeur.
Through the swirling snowflakes, he glanced eastward—toward the Dragon Abyss Ancestral Hall.
A colossal black dragon statue spiraled upward, piercing the sky at an astonishing height of at least five or six hundred meters!
The dragon was sculpted with lifelike precision.
Its massive head stood defiantly against the storm, exuding an aura of dominance.
Just one look at it was enough to invoke an overwhelming sense of dread!
What kind of place is the Dragon Abyss Ancestral Hall?
Just as this thought crossed his mind—
Suddenly.
A harsh voice rang out behind him:
"Who goes there? How dare you ride a horse and gawk around?"
Qin Ming turned back.
Six White Feather Guards clad in white armor, wielding longswords, had already surrounded his horse.
"I am Captain Wang Shan of the White Feather Guards! Who are you? Report your name!"
Qin Ming remained composed.
"I am Qin Ming, the newly appointed Captain of the Demon Suppression Guards."
"Hahaha..."
A White Feather Guard beside Wang Shan burst into laughter.
Pointing at Qin Ming, he sneered:
"Captain of the Demon Suppression Guards? Stop bluffing! I know who you are—you're just a little eunuch from the Lunar Palace!"
Wang Shan stepped forward, his eyes filled with arrogance and disdain.
"A eunuch is a rootless man, weak and powerless!
And yet, you dare to impersonate a captain? What a joke!"
Qin Ming's patience was reaching its limit.
He had no desire to cause trouble, so he spoke again in a low voice.
"I truly am the new Captain of the Demon Suppression Guards. I am heading to the Fire Command Hall.
I ask for Captain Wang's cooperation."
"Cooperation? My ass! You damn eunuch! Seize him!
I've never heard of a eunuch becoming a captain—what a laughable farce!"
The five other White Feather Guards erupted into laughter.
Qin Ming leaped down from his horse.
"If Captain Wang believes I am powerless, why not test me?"
Qin Ming had already assessed Wang Shan's cultivation—Tempered Body, Third Tier.
The other guards were at Tempered Body, Second Tier.
"Hear that? This little eunuch from the Lunar Palace wants to challenge a White Feather Guard Captain!
Today, I'll show you what it means to be a White Feather Guard!"
As soon as Wang Shan finished speaking, he clenched his fists and lunged at Qin Ming.
Qin Ming remained calm.
As Wang Shan neared—his right hand swiftly lifted.
"PAH!"
An Icy Soul Fist blasted forward.
The condensed frost on his fist exploded upon impact!
Wang Shan was sent flying five meters away, crashing onto the ground.
Groaning in pain, he felt utterly humiliated.
"Kill him! Kill him!"
In an instant, the five remaining White Feather Guards drew their swords and charged.
But Qin Ming's Stealth Talent and Turtle Breath Technique gave him unparalleled agility and perception!
The five swords slashed repeatedly—yet he effortlessly dodged every strike.
Finding an opening, he swiftly unleashed another Icy Soul Fist!
"PAH! PAH! PAH! PAH! PAH!"
All five guards were sent sprawling, coughing up blood.
Lying on the ground, Wang Shan was in complete shock!
"How is a mere eunuch this strong?!"
Qin Ming's expression grew colder as he stepped forward—
"BANG!"
A kick to Wang Shan's chest sent him flying another ten meters.
At that moment—
Two officials in azure robes embroidered with mythical beasts happened to be passing by.
They caught sight of Qin Ming delivering a blow.
"Stop at once! Young man, I see you're wearing a Demon Suppression Guard uniform.
How dare you assault the White Feather Guards?"
"When did you become a captain? Why are you attacking people without cause?"
Qin Ming cupped his hands.
"My lords, I am Captain Qin Ming. I was merely passing through when Captain Wang and his men blocked my path and insulted me.
I had no choice but to retaliate."
"No choice? Do you have any evidence?"
"Exactly! Where's your proof that they struck first?"
"This is the vicinity of the Fire Command Hall. Causing a disturbance here is a grave offense!
Without evidence, you are guilty of unauthorized assault. We will report this to Her Majesty!"
Qin Ming immediately saw through these two—they were here to stir trouble.
As he pondered his next move—
From the distance—
A figure in a black and purple robe approached.
Her face was like frost, exuding an aura of dominance and authority.
It was none other than—
The Grand Princess!